Glasgow, July 26, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Olympic and world champion Neeraj Chopra says representing India remains his biggest motivation as he prepares to return to the Commonwealth Games, insisting his focus is on delivering his best performance rather than chasing a specific distance.
The Indian javelin star, who won gold at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in 2018 but missed the Birmingham 2022 edition due to injury, said he would approach the Glasgow Games with the same commitment he brings to every international competition.
“There is no specific target as such. The only thought in mind is that whenever you compete, try to give your absolute best and put in 100 percent on the day so that there are no regrets later,” Neeraj told reporters on Sunday.
He said his performance would depend on competition-day conditions but stressed that giving his best for the country remained his only objective.
“Whenever I represent my country, it automatically becomes important to me. Since I have come here to compete for India, I will give my 100 percent,” he said, adding that fellow Indian javelin throwers, including Rohit, were also well-prepared for the competition.
The 28-year-old has competed only once this season after recovering from a lower back injury that affected his campaign at the World Athletics Championships last year. He finished fourth at the Doha Diamond League in June with a best throw of 85.69 metres.
Neeraj said he had worked on technical shortcomings and fitness following the Doha event and was now feeling much better ahead of the Commonwealth Games.
Responding to a question about crossing the 90-metre mark and the expectations that followed, he said his primary goal was to maintain consistency while continuing to improve.
“It isn’t pressure as such, but as an athlete, it is always in my mind to keep increasing my distance. However, in major competitions, the priority is to win medals against the world’s best athletes. Consistency is equally important,” he said.
The men’s javelin qualifying round is scheduled for July 30 at Scotstoun Stadium, with the final to be held on July 31.
Neeraj is expected to face a strong field that includes reigning Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan, Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Pathirage, who has the season’s world-leading throw of 92.62 metres, Grenada’s former world champion Anderson Peters, and Trinidad and Tobago’s reigning world champion and former Olympic gold medallist Keshorn Walcott.
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